ATLANTA — Mary Finch Hoyt, White House press secretary to former first lady Rosalynn Carter, has died. She was 89.

Mrs. Carter said Thursday that Hoyt was a “trusted adviser and loyal friend who served the nation with honor and distinction.” Carter’s spokeswoman Deanna Congileo said Hoyt died Oct. 17 in Washington, D.C. of natural causes.

During the 1968 presidential campaign, Hoyt served as press secretary to Eleanor McGovern and then Jane Muskie.

A journalist and author, Hoyt also worked as Washington editor for the Ladies Home Journal.

Former first lady Barbara Bush said Hoyt “set a wonderful example for career-minded women across the country” and praised her service and commitment to charitable causes.

Hoyt later served as director of communications for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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